The federal government is considering whether to allow scientists to take a controversial step: make changes in some of the genetic material in a woman's egg that would be passed down through generations.

A Purdue University spokeswoman says school President Mitch Daniels was paid for a speech at a conservative Minnesota think tank's fundraiser that some believe broke his pledge to avoid partisan politics.

In a press conference that lasted more than an hour, President Obama said he was willing to talk about anything, as long as Republicans reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling, even if its for a short period of time.